Posted by denised in 
We’re down to number five of my series, The Five Bad Bosses I’ll never forget. And when it comes to bad bosses, The Absolutely- bat crazy- bad boss (BCBB) is the big Kahuna. This mad man or woman wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone they come into contact with. Telltale signs you might have an absolutely bat crazy bad boss (based on first hand experience):
- He has no inside voice – A large percentage of this bad boss’ day is spent screaming at people above levels that are considered normal by most. Just to add a little more crazy to the mix, BCBBs pepper their outbursts with the foulest words in the English language and hurl them indiscriminately at whoever might have the misfortune of walking down the hallway at the peak of their meltdown.
- He suggests – no insists – that everyone in the company “drink the kool-aid” despite being advised that the first time something like that happened, it ended with everyone dying. To confirm his lunacy, he’ll repeat the suggestion, ad nauseum, to anyone within ear shot.
- He tells you that it’s ok to go $500,000 over budget – even while the company is hemorrhaging money. He’s got no plan or strategy to back up the bold request, but has given up all hope and wants company under that bus he’s just thrown himself under.
- He wears a clown nose and hat to the national sales meeting which is attended by board members. He is also still drunk from the night before.
- Her mood swings are so epic, the mere thought of approaching her sends shivers down everyone’s spine. She often goes days without speaking to anyone in the office. The opposite is also true – on some days she reveals way too much of the intimate details of her personal life. She is also the head of human resources.
BCBBs are as dangerous as they get. And while some of them might really have a problem that requires medication, many of them are just plain mean, rude and don’t give a damn. Whatever the cause, the effect is the same – employees walking on eggshells, low morale, and the feeling that at any moment, your BCBB could snap. My advice, get out of dodge as fast as possible.
If you have, or have had a bad boss that fits in any of the five categories, share your stories in the comment section or email them to me at denised@reallybadboss.com.
